Self-checking analyzer method and system using reflected power/insertion loss

ABSTRACT

A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system also includes a first measuring device configured to provide a first reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow, and a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system is configured to validate the first reflected power/insertion loss measurement using the second reflected power/insertion loss measurement

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent No.61/072,613, filed Apr. 1, 2008, entitled “SELF CHECKING ANALYZER METHODAND SYSTEM”. Provisional Patent No. 61/072,613 is is hereby incorporatedby reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein.The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/072,613.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to analyzer systems and, morespecifically, to water analyzer systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When water is pumped to the surface of the Earth along with crudepetroleum oil, producers often attempt to determine the water content ofthe oil because water can corrode pipes and damage down-streamprocessing equipment. Furthermore, water has no value relative to theoil and in-fact can become a disposal or environmental problem whereverit is finally removed.

The accurate determination of the water content and the validation ofthe amount of water in crude petroleum oil is particularly importantduring the taxation of crude petroleum oil and the sale of crudepetroleum oil, where the owner or seller of the oil does not want to paytaxes on water and the customer does not want to pay the price of oilfor water. Such determinations and validations can be conducted on-lineand off-line during petroleum processing.

Offline methods involve physically sampling the stream and analyzing itin a laboratory setting. In the petroleum industry, sampling is usuallydone using a composite sampler, which automatically opens a sample valveattached to a pipeline at a certain time interval to collect anaggregate sample into a sample container. The objective is to collect asample which is representative of the entire lot of petroleum underconsideration. After collection, the composite sample is usually pickedup by a person and taken to a laboratory. The composite sample is then“sampled” to prepare aliquots, or sub-divisions of the composite sample,for each of the various characterizations, or analysis methods, beingimplemented.

However, composite petroleum samplers and the associated analyticalmethods have problems and disadvantages, such as meeting a desiredaccuracy for a given determination. For example, results for compositesamplers are typically only available at the end of a batch or a test,and there is no recourse if something goes wrong with the samplingsystem during the sampling process. At the end of the sampling andanalysis, only a single number is available to consider. Additionally,the exposure of personnel to hazardous liquids associated withprocessing the samples is undesirable. Thus, the petroleum industry hascontinued to seek other methods that provide the required accuracy,speed, and safety.

Accordingly, the use of rapid on-line instruments such as densitometers,capacitance probes, radio frequency probes, and microwave analyzers tomeasure the water content of petroleum products is becoming more common.In addition to providing increasingly accurate determinations of watercontent, real time water content results via on-line methods can providebeneficial operational advantages. Knowledge of when water becomespresent in petroleum as it is being produced and the magnitude of thequantity of the water may provide an opportunity to remove the waterbefore it reaches and corrodes or damages a transport pipeline, storagevessel, or shipping tanker. Additionally, real time data may show if thewater is detected in several short periods of time or if it is presentacross the entire load of the petroleum. Furthermore, real timeanalyzers may be used as a comparison to the results provide bycomposite samplers. Finally, on-line measurements of, for example,physical and electrical properties via instrumentation reduces the needfor human involvement in the process of characterizing a multiphasefluid mixture.

Despite the importance and advantages of on-line analyzers, they aretypically subjected to long periods of use without recalibrationalthough they may require recalibration due to things such as coatingbuild up, leakage of o-ring seals, voltage changes with time, orcomponent failure. Users of on-line analyzers often do not realize thatthe system has been compromised and requires recalibration until amanual sample of the multiphase fluid mixture is performed or the valuesproduced by the analyzers are always zero, not changing, or indicate100% water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure provides a system and method for a self-checkinganalyzer.

A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to a firstembodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipelinefor receiving a multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system alsoincludes a first measuring device configured to provide a firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to themulti-phase fluid flow, and a second measuring device differing infrequency response from the first measuring device and configured toprovide a second reflected power/insertion loss measurementcorresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system isconfigured to validate the first reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement using the second reflected power/insertion loss measurement

In particular embodiments of the measurement unit, the first measuringdevice is one of an oil oscillator and a water oscillator and the secondfirst measuring device is the other.

In other particular embodiments of the measurement unit, the switch is asolid state switch.

In yet other particular embodiments of the measurement unit, the firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement is used to determine a watercontent of the multi-phase fluid flow.

In yet further other particular embodiments of the measurement unit, thewater content is derived from one or more calibration curves.

In still yet other particular embodiments of the measurement unit, themeasurement unit is further configured to validate the first reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement by comparing a subsequent reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement of the first measuring devicecorresponding to free air with a calibrated value.

A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to a secondembodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipelinefor receiving a multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system alsoincludes a first measuring device configured to provide a firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to themulti-phase fluid flow, and a second measuring device differing infrequency response from the first measuring device and configured toprovide a second reflected power/insertion loss measurementcorresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system isconfigured to validate the first reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement using the second reflected power/insertion loss measurement.

In particular embodiments of the system, a switch configured to connectthe first measuring device to an antenna element to obtain the firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement and to connect the secondoscillator to the antenna element to obtain the second reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement.

In other particular embodiments of the system, the switch is a solidstate switch.

In yet other particular embodiments of the system, the first measuringdevice is one of an oil oscillator and a water oscillator and the secondfirst measuring device is the other.

In yet further other particular embodiments of the system, the firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement is used to determine a watercontent of the multi-phase fluid flow.

In still yet other particular embodiments of the system, the watercontent is derived from one or more calibration curves.

In yet further other particular embodiments of the system, the analyzersystem is further configured to validate the first reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement by comparing a subsequent reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement of the first measuring devicecorresponding to free air with a calibrated value.

A method of validating a frequency response is provided according to athird embodiment of this disclosure. The method includes obtaining afirst reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to amultiphase fluid flow using a first measuring device, and obtaining asecond reflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to themultiphase fluid flow using a second measuring device. The secondmeasuring device differs in frequency response from the first measuringdevice. The method further includes validating the first reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement using the second reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement.

In particular embodiments of the method, the first measuring device isone of an oil oscillator and a water oscillator and the second firstmeasuring device is the other.

In other particular embodiments of the method, the method furtherincludes determining a first water content of the multiphase fluid flowusing the first reflected power/insertion loss measurement.

In further particular embodiments of the method, the method furtherincludes determining a second water content of the multiphase fluid flowusing the second reflected power/insertion loss measurement, andvalidating the first water content using the second water content.

In yet other particular embodiments of the method, the first and secondwater contents are determined from one or more calibration curves.

In yet further other particular embodiments of the method, the methodfurther includes validating the first reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement by comparing a subsequent reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement of the first measuring device corresponding to free air witha calibrated value.

In still yet other particular embodiments of the method, the first andsecond oscillators differ from one another in at least one of tuningelements, active devices, and matching circuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an analyzing circuitry having two measurement systemsthat are independent of one another according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a self-checking analyzer system having an analyzingcircuitry according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a calibration flow loop for calibrating aself-checking analyzer system according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of calibrations curves for an oiloscillator and a water oscillator according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates calibration curves for an oil oscillator according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates calibration curves for a water oscillator accordingto an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates oil continuous emulsion curves for a water oscillatorand an oil oscillator according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates extremes of water continuous emulsion curves for anoil oscillator and a water oscillator according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a method of validating a measurement from ananalyzer system;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another method of validating a measurementfrom an analyzer system; and

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another method of validating a measurement froman analyzer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 11, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged analyzer system.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example analyzing circuitry 100 according to thisdisclosure. The embodiment of the analyzing circuitry 100 shown in FIG.1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the analyzing circuitry100 could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an analyzing circuitry having two measurement systemsthat are independent of one another according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure.

To alert a user that an analyzing system is not operating withincalibrated values or that a failure has occurred, the analyzingcircuitry 100 of FIG. 1 performs real time checking of the validity ofthe measurements of the analyzing system by using two measurementsystems that are independent of one another. In this particularembodiment, the two measurement systems take the form of an oiloscillator 101 and a water oscillator 103. The oil oscillator 101 andthe water oscillator 103 are independent of one another in terms oftheir tuning elements, active devices, and/or matching circuitry.

The analyzing circuitry 100 uses the measurement results of oneoscillator to validate the measurement results of the other oscillatorin real time. Because the two measurement systems are widely differentin frequency response and reflected power/insertion loss, measurementresults from the analyzing circuitry 100 will only be valid if bothmeasuring systems produce measurement results that correspond tosubstantially the same water content.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the oil oscillator 101 and the wateroscillator 103 both feed a coaxial antenna 105 via a coaxial line 107.The oil oscillator 101 and a water oscillator 103 are used to matchenergy into two emulsion types. In one case, the oil surrounds the wateras an emulsion and is insulating like the oil. In some embodiments, thisemulsion is perceived as a 50 ohm load in the line 107 at the beginningand decreases in impedance as the percentage of water increases in theemulsion. A solid state switch 109 is used to isolate one oscillatorwhile connecting the other oscillator to the coaxial antenna 105. Thesolid state switch 109 may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF)switch.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example self-checking analyzer system 200according to this disclosure. The embodiment of the self-checkinganalyzer system 200 shown in FIG. 2 is for illustration only. Otherembodiments of the self-checking analyzer system 200 could be usedwithout departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates the self-checking analyzer system 200 having theanalyzing circuitry 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the self-checking analyzer system 200includes a measurement unit 201, which includes the analyzing circuitry100 described above. The measurement unit 201 is in contact with amultiphase fluid flowing through a pipeline 203. The measurement unit201 is able to measure the frequency response and the reflectedpower/insertion loss of the oil oscillator 101 and the water oscillator103 to the multiphase fluid as the multiphase fluid flows through thepipeline 203. In this embodiment, the multiphase fluid enters and exitsthe pipeline 203 via flanges 205A and 205B.

FIG. 3 illustrates a calibration flow loop 300 for calibrating theself-checking analyzer system 200 according to an embodiment of thisdisclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the calibration flow loop 300includes, in addition to the self-checking analyzer system 200, a pump301 for pushing a multiphase fluid mixture through the calibration flowloop 300. The calibration flow loop 300 further includes one or morewater or oil injection pumps 303, a pressure piston 305, and a heatexchanger 307 in contact with a heater/chiller 309.

The calibration flow loop 300 is loaded with 100% oil or water and thenwater or oil is injected into the calibration flow loop 300 viainjection pumps 303. The measurements taken as oil or water is injectedinto the calibration flow loop 300 are used to generate calibrationcurves for the oil oscillator 101 and the water oscillator 103 toindicate the frequency response and the reflected power/insertion lossof the self-checking analyzer system 200 at various water percentages.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of calibrations curves for the oiloscillator 101 and the water oscillator 103 according to an embodimentof this disclosure.

The left side of FIG. 4 shows the calibration curves for the oiloscillator 101, which range in frequency from 96.7 MHz to 128 MHz, andthe right side of FIG. 4 shows the calibration curves for the wateroscillator 103, which range in frequency from 152 MHz to 221.1 MHz.

With regard to the calibration curves for the oil oscillator 101 on theleft side of FIG. 4, an oil emulsion curve 401 represents the oilemulsion for the oil oscillator 101. Because the water continuous phase(oil-in-water) is conductive due to the salinity of the water, a numberof separate calibrations are made to obtain a family of salinity wateremulsion curves 403, 405, and 407. For example, a salt water emulsioncurve 403 was obtained at 0.1% salt content, a salt water emulsion curve405 was obtained at 3% salt content, and a salt water emulsion curve 407was obtained at 11% salt content.

With regard to the calibration curves for the water oscillator 103 onthe right side of FIG. 4, an oil emulsion curve, indicated at 409A and409B, represents the oil emulsion for the water oscillator 103. The oilemulsion curve 409 is discontinuous in that at 32% water the frequencyis 152 MHz and jumps to 209.2 MHz at 33% water. The reason for this jumpis that the technology of load-pulled oscillators provides for thereturning of the frequency to a rollover frequency upon transitioningthrough 180 degrees of a phase shift. Because load-pulled oscillatorsdesigned and matched for the water phase are not normally used for theoil continuous emulsion phase, the discontinuity or jump in frequencydoes not interfere with the measurements. Like the oil oscillator 101curves, the water oscillator 103 curves also include, for example, asalt water emulsion curve 411 obtained at 0.1% salt content, a saltwater emulsion curve 413 obtained at 3% salt content, and a salt wateremulsion curve 415 obtained at 11% salt content.

In one embodiment, validation of a measurement can be done simply bycomparing the frequencies of the oil oscillator 101 and the wateroscillator 103 with respect to the calibration curves corresponding tothe same conditions of salinity and temperature. The frequencies for theoil oscillator 101 and the water oscillator 103 are independent of oneanother, and the frequency response of each will be affected differentlydue to any events (for example, problems with the liquid seals at theantenna, a bad component, or changes in the internal reference voltages)that may require the system to be recalibrated.

FIG. 5 illustrates the calibration curves for the oil oscillator 101according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

In one example, the solid state switch 109 has isolated the wateroscillator 103 and connected the oil oscillator 101 to the coaxialantenna 105. If a frequency of 117.5 MHz is measured by the analyzingcircuitry 100 in this example, then the water percentage would bedetermined to be 19.5% at a point 501 on the oil emulsion curve 401,which corresponds to 117.5 MHz.

FIG. 6 illustrates the calibration curves for the water oscillator 103according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, a 19.5% watercut corresponds to afrequency of 159.5 MHz as indicated by a point 601 on the oil emulsioncurve 409A. Accordingly, when the solid state switch 109 isolates theoil oscillator 101 and connects the water oscillator 103 to the coaxialantenna 105, the frequency measured by the analyzing circuitry 100 inthis example should be approximately 159.5 MHz. If the measurementproduced by the analyzing circuitry 100 at this time is approximately159.5 MHz, then the self-checking analyzer system 200 would consider the19.5% watercut measurement valid. Conversely, if the measurementproduced by the analyzing circuitry 100 at this time is notapproximately 159.5 MHz, then the self-checking analyzer system 200would consider the 19.5% watercut measurement to be invalid. Errors inmeasurement can be displayed and could include the two frequencies andthe differing water percentages that correspond to the two frequencies.The user would then be alerted that there is a system error. The usercould then further check the frequency measurements or send theself-checking analyzer system 200 for repair.

Of course, the validity of the 19.5% watercut measurement also could bevalidated by comparing it with the watercut percentage that correspondsto the measured frequency of the water oscillator 103. In other words,the percentages are compared rather than the frequencies.

In another embodiment, the reflected power/insertion loss of the wateroscillator 103 and the oil oscillator 101 is used to validate theintegrity of the self-checking analyzer system 200. For example, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a 19.5% watercut measurement also corresponds toa reflected power/insertion loss of approximately 1 dB. Therefore,unless both the water oscillator 103 and the oil oscillator 101 show areflected power/insertion loss of approximately 1 dB, the 19.5% watercutmeasurement would not be considered valid.

FIG. 7 illustrates the oil continuous emulsion curves 401 and 409 forthe oil oscillator 101 and the water oscillator 103, respectively,according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates extremes of water continuous emulsion curves for theoil oscillator 101 and the water oscillator 103 according to anembodiment of this disclosure.

In this example, the self-checking analyzer system 200 is measuring awater continuous emulsion at 11% salinity. If the frequency measured bythe water oscillator 103 is 180.88 MHz as indicated by a point 801 onthe water emulsion curve 415 (11% salinity curve), then the water cutpercentage would be determined to be 90% water, which corresponds to apoint 803 on the water emulsion curve 407 (11% salinity curve) of theoil oscillator 101. The point 803 on the water emulsion curve 407corresponds to a frequency of 102.08 MHz. In this case, a measurementfrom the oil oscillator 101 of, for example, 103 MHz would indicate thatthere is a problem with the integrity of the self-checking analyzersystem 200.

Of course, as with the previous example, the validity of the 90%watercut measurement also could be validated by comparing it with thewatercut percentage that corresponds to the measured frequency of thewater oscillator 103. In other words, the percentages are comparedrather than the frequencies.

In some embodiments, the self-checking analyzer system 200 would beself-checking at every measurement interval typically less than threeseconds apart. In other embodiments, the calibrations curves could bestored as polynomial equations or as a table for later interpolation inthe field for real time measurement.

Although the above embodiments show a specific number of salt watercurves at specific salinities, one of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize that any number of salt water curves at any number ofsalinities, such as 0.3%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, and 8%, may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

In a further embodiment, an additional test can be made duringcalibration by recording the frequency response or reflectedpower/insertion loss of the oil oscillator 101 and/or the wateroscillator 103 when only air is in the measurement unit 201. Thesefrequencies can be stored in a memory of the self-checking analyzersystem 200 and recalled at a later time to compare against frequenciesobtained in the field when an operator is able to obtain free air in themeasurement unit 201. This becomes a further validity check on theintegrity of the self-checking analyzer system 200. The frequencyresponse or reflected power/insertion loss of the oil oscillator 101and/or the water oscillator 103 when only air is in the measurement unit201 is used alone or in conjunction with the values from the calibrationcurves as a validity check on the integrity of the self-checkinganalyzer system 200.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a method of validating a measurement from ananalyzer system.

In this embodiment, one or more calibration curves are generated for afirst and a second oscillator of an analyzer system (Block 901).

The calibration curves may include oil emulsion curves and salt wateremulsion curves, for example, at 0.1%, 3%, and 11% salt. The calibrationcurves also may include the frequency response of the first and/orsecond oscillators with only air in the measurement unit of the analyzersystem. The first and second oscillators are independent of one anotherin terms of their tuning elements, active devices, and/or matchingcircuitry. For example, the first oscillator could be an oil oscillatorwhile the second oscillator is a water oscillator. Accordingly, thefirst and second oscillators will differ in their frequency response.

A frequency measurement is then obtained from the first oscillator as amulti-phase fluid passes through the measurement unit (Block 903). Awater percentage corresponding to the frequency measurement is thendetermined from the calibration curves for the first oscillator (Block905).

A frequency measurement is then obtained from the second oscillator forthe multi-phase fluid (Block 907). A calibrated frequency thatcorresponds to the water percentage obtained from the first oscillatoris obtained from the calibration curves for the second oscillator (Block909). The measured frequency from the second oscillator is then comparedto the calibrated frequency (Block 911).

Alternatively or in addition to, after a frequency measurement isobtained from the second oscillator for the multi-phase fluid (Block907), a water percentage corresponding to the frequency measurement ofthe second oscillator is then determined from the calibration curves forthe second oscillator (Block 913). The water percentage obtained fromthe first oscillator is then compared with the water percentage obtainedfrom the second oscillator (Block 915).

The method then determines if the water percentage obtained from thefirst oscillator is valid based upon the comparison of the waterpercentages or frequency responses (Block 917). If the water percentagefrom the first oscillator is valid, an indication or an alert isprovided to indicate that the analyzing system is operating withincalibrated values (Block 919), and the method returns to Block 903 toobtain another frequency measurement from the first oscillator. If thewater percentage from the first oscillator is not valid, a frequencyresponse of the first oscillator and/or the second oscillator to freeair is taken and compared with the frequency response to free airobtained during calibration (Block 921).

The method then determines if the water percentage obtained from thefirst oscillator is valid based upon the comparison of the frequencyresponses to free air (Block 923). If the water percentage from thefirst oscillator is valid, an indication or an alert is provided toindicate that the analyzing system is operating within calibrated values(Block 925), and the method returns to Block 903 to obtain anotherfrequency measurement from the first oscillator. If the water percentagefrom the first oscillator is not valid, an indication or an alert isprovided to indicate that the analyzing system is not operating withincalibrated values or that a failure has occurred (Block 927). In someembodiments, the method could either stop taking frequency measurementsat this point until further input by the operator is received orcontinue to obtain another frequency measurement from the firstoscillator.

Of course, in some embodiments, if the water percentage obtained fromthe first oscillator is not valid based upon the comparison of the waterpercentages or frequency responses (Block 917), the method skips Blocks921 to 925 and provides an indication or alert without comparing thefrequency responses to free air (Block 927).

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another method of validating a measurementfrom an analyzer system.

In this embodiment, one or more calibration curves are generated for afirst and a second oscillator of an analyzer system (Block 1001).

The calibration curves may include oil emulsion curves and salt wateremulsion curves, for example, at 0.1%, 3%, and 11% salt. The calibrationcurves also may include reflected power/insertion loss measurement ofthe first and/or second oscillators with only air in the measurementunit of the analyzer system. The first and second oscillators areindependent of one another in terms of their tuning elements, activedevices, and/or matching circuitry. For example, the first oscillatorcould be an oil oscillator while the second oscillator is a wateroscillator. Accordingly, the first and second oscillators will differ intheir frequency response.

A reflected power/insertion loss measurement is obtained from the firstoscillator as a multi-phase fluid passes through the measurement unit(Block 1003). A water percentage corresponding to the reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement is then determined from the calibrationcurves for the first oscillator (Block 1005).

A reflected power/insertion loss measurement is then obtained from thesecond oscillator for the multi-phase fluid (Block 1007). A reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement that corresponds to the waterpercentage obtained from the first oscillator is obtained from thecalibration curves for the second oscillator (Block 1009). The measuredreflected power/insertion loss from the second oscillator is thencompared to the calibrated reflected power/insertion loss (Block 1011).

Alternatively or in addition to, a water percentage corresponding to thereflected power/insertion loss measurement from the second oscillatorloss is then determined from the calibration curves for the secondoscillator (Block 1013). The water percentage obtained from the firstoscillator is then compared to the water percentage obtained from thesecond oscillator (Block 1015).

The method then determines if the water percentage obtained from thefirst oscillator is valid based upon the comparison of the waterpercentages or reflected power/insertion loss measurements (Block 1017).If the water percentage from the first oscillator is valid, anindication or an alert is provided to indicate that the analyzing systemis operating within calibrated values (Block 1019), and the methodreturns to Block 1003 to obtain another reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement from the first oscillator. If the water percentage from thefirst oscillator is not valid, a reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement of the first oscillator and/or the second oscillatorcorresponding to free air is taken during operation and compared to thereflected power/insertion loss measurement corresponding to free airobtained during calibration (Block 1021).

The method then determines if the water percentage obtained from thefirst oscillator is valid based upon the comparison of the reflectedpower/insertion loss measurements corresponding to free air (Block1023). If the water percentage from the first oscillator is valid, anindication or an alert is provided to indicate that the analyzing systemis operating within calibrated values (Block 1025), and the methodreturns to Block 1003 to obtain another reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement from the first oscillator. If the water percentage from thefirst oscillator is not valid, an indication or an alert is provided toindicate that the analyzing system is not operating within calibratedvalues or that a failure has occurred (Block 1027).

In some embodiments, the method could either stop taking reflectedpower/insertion loss measurements at this point until further input bythe operator is received or continue to obtain another reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement from the first oscillator.

Of course, in some embodiments, if the water percentage obtained fromthe first oscillator is not valid based upon the comparison of the waterpercentages or reflected power/insertion loss measurements (Block 1017),the method skips Blocks 1021 to 1025 and provides an indication or alertwithout comparing the reflected power/insertion loss measurements tofree air (Block 1027).

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another method of validating a measurement froman analyzer system.

In this embodiment, a reflected power/insertion loss measurement or afrequency response of a first oscillator and/or a second oscillatorcorresponding to free air is obtained during calibration (Block 1101).

During operation, a reflected power/insertion loss measurement or afrequency response is obtained from the first and/or second oscillatoras a multi-phase fluid passes through the measurement unit (Block 1103).A reflected power/insertion loss measurement or a frequency response ofthe first and/or second oscillator corresponding to free air also isobtained during operation (Block 1105). The frequency response orreflected power/insertion loss measurement of the first oscillatorand/or the second oscillator to free air obtained during operation iscompared with the frequency response to free air obtained duringcalibration (Block 1107).

The method then validates the frequency or reflected power/insertionloss measurement from the first oscillator and/or second oscillator asthe multi-phase fluid passed through the measurement unit based upon thecomparison of the frequency or reflected power/insertion lossmeasurements corresponding to free air (Block 1109).

Although FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate examples of a method for validating ameasurement from an analyzer system, various changes may be made toFIGS. 9 to 11. For example, while shown as a series of steps, varioussteps in FIGS. 9 to 11 could overlap, occur in parallel, occur in adifferent order, or occur multiple times. Further, note that these stepscould occur at any suitable time, such as in response to a command froma user or external device or system.

In some embodiments, various functions described above are implementedor supported by a computer program that is formed from computer readableprogram code and that is embodied in a computer readable medium. Thephrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computercode, including source code, object code, and executable code. Thephrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable ofbeing accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digitalvideo disc (DVD), or any other type of memory.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document. The term “couple” and itsderivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two ormore elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contactwith one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well asderivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” isinclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associatedtherewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, beincluded within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within,connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperatewith, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,have a property of, or the like. The term “controller” means any device,system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Acontroller may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or somecombination of at least two of the same. The functionality associatedwith any particular controller may be centralized or distributed,whether locally or remotely.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the above description of example embodiments does not define orconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure, as defined by the following claims.

1. A measurement unit comprising: a first measuring device; a secondmeasuring device differing in frequency response from the firstmeasuring device; a switch; and an antenna element; wherein the switchis configured to connect the first measuring device to the antennaelement to obtain a first reflected power/insertion loss measurementcorresponding to a multiphase fluid flow and to connect the secondoscillator to the antenna element to obtain a second reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement corresponding to the multiphase fluidflow; and wherein the measurement unit is configured to validate thefirst reflected power/insertion loss measurement using the secondreflected power/insertion loss measurement.
 2. The measurement unit ofclaim 1, wherein the first measuring device is one of an oil oscillatorand a water oscillator and the second first measuring device is theother.
 3. The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the switch is a solidstate switch.
 4. The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement is used to determine a watercontent of the multi-phase fluid flow.
 5. The measurement unit of claim4, wherein the water content is derived from one or more calibrationcurves.
 6. The measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the measurement unitis further configured to validate the first reflected power/insertionloss measurement by comparing a subsequent reflected power/insertionloss measurement of the first measuring device corresponding to free airwith a calibrated value.
 7. An analyzer system comprising: a pipelinefor receiving a multi-phase fluid flow; a first measuring deviceconfigured to provide a first reflected power/insertion loss measurementcorresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow; and a second measuringdevice differing in frequency response from the first measuring deviceand configured to provide a second reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow; wherein theanalyzer system is configured to validate the first reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement using the second reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement.
 8. The system of claim 7 furthercomprising: a switch configured to connect the first measuring device toan antenna element to obtain the first reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement and to connect the second oscillator to the antenna elementto obtain the second reflected power/insertion loss measurement.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the switch is a solid state switch.
 10. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the first measuring device is one of an oiloscillator and a water oscillator and the second first measuring deviceis the other.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the first reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement is used to determine a water content ofthe multi-phase fluid flow.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the watercontent is derived from one or more calibration curves.
 13. The systemof claim 7, wherein the analyzer system is further configured tovalidate the first reflected power/insertion loss measurement bycomparing a subsequent reflected power/insertion loss measurement of thefirst measuring device corresponding to free air with a calibratedvalue.
 14. A method of validating a reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement comprising: obtaining a first reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement corresponding to a multiphase fluid flow using a firstmeasuring device; obtaining a second reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement corresponding to the multiphase fluid flow using a secondmeasuring device, the second measuring device differing in frequencyresponse from the first measuring device; and validating the firstreflected power/insertion loss measurement using the second reflectedpower/insertion loss measurement.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe first measuring device is one of an oil oscillator and a wateroscillator and the second first measuring device is the other.
 16. Themethod of claim 14 further comprising: determining a first water contentof the multiphase fluid flow using the first reflected power/insertionloss measurement.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:determining a second water content of the multiphase fluid flow usingthe second reflected power/insertion loss measurement; and validatingthe first water content using the second water content.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the first and second water contents are determinedfrom one or more calibration curves.
 19. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising: validating the first reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement by comparing a subsequent reflected power/insertion lossmeasurement of the first measuring device corresponding to free air witha calibrated value.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first andsecond oscillators differ from one another in at least one of tuningelements, active devices, and matching circuitry.